What is the connection between mental health and addiction?

As with many chronic health conditions, there isn’t just one way that someone can end up with a co-occurring disorder. Some people have a mental health issue before their addiction, while others develop symptoms after they are addicted. Many different studies have been done on this topic, which has lead to three main reasons why mental health and addiction are linked: Both mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders have similar risk factors. This can include genetics, high stress jobs, unstable personal lives, and a history of emotional or physical trauma. Mental disorders can make it more likely for you to use drugs, and develop a substance use disorder. Sometimes people with a mental health issue try to use drugs to treat their symptoms and make themselves feel better. Other mental disorders can cause changes in your brain that make it more likely for you to become addicted to drugs. Substance abuse and addiction can make it more likely for you to develop a mental health issue. This is because substance abuse and addiction can change the way that your brain works, which can lead to certain mental health issues. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information .

What are the signs of a mental health disorder?

There are many different mental health disorders that affect people, and the signs and symptoms will depend on each person’s individual experiences and diagnosis. There are, however, some general signs that can point to a mental health disorder, including: Feeling worried or fearful for no reason Excessive sadness Confusion Problems concentrating or learning Extreme mood swings Inappropriate anger or irritability Avoiding friends or social gatherings Problems sleeping Chronic exhaustion Eating too much or too little Having distorted perceptions of reality Thoughts of self-harm or suicide A general feeling of poor health without obvious cause Problems carrying out normal activities, such as going to work or bathing Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

What is outpatient psychiatric treatment?

Outpatient mental health treatment is a type of treatment that allows people to still live in their own homes during treatment. Your treatment will take place in a doctor’s office, hospital, or other clinical setting, but you are not required to stay overnight. Depending on what type of mental health issues you are having, what substance you have been abusing, and how severe your symptoms are, your provider will create the most appropriate treatment plan for you. The most common options include: Addiction Treatment Anxiety Disorder Treatment Behavioral Therapy Bipolar Disorder Treatment Depression Treatment Family Therapy Group Counseling Individual Counseling Medication Psychotherapy Stress Management Skills The amount of time that you will be required to spend at your outpatient mental health treatment program will depend on you and your needs. Most people begin with weekly visits for 30 to 60 minutes. As you successfully complete your treatment program, the amount of time you have to spend at the facility will decrease. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

What are the benefits of outpatient psychiatric treatment?

Outpatient mental health treatment isn’t for everyone. If, however, you have a strong support system at home and are able to hold yourself accountable for attending treatment, an outpatient program may work for you. Some of the main benefits of an outpatient mental health treatment program are: They allow people to maintain contact with their support network They provide people with an opportunity to learn coping skills for both their addiction and mental health symptoms, and how to integrate them into their daily lives They can help people transition from an inpatient treatment program back into their normal lives with more success Our licensed clinical staff will determine if you are appropriate for the outpatient level of care. You should discuss all of your symptoms and situation with one of our medical or behavioral healthcare specialists in order for us to make the best determination for your care plan. Our clinicians are experienced in evaluating and treating mental health conditions and can determine the most appropriate and most effective course of action for you. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

Does insurance cover psychiatric care?

While every insurance plan is different, your insurance company may offer coverage for psychiatric care. If you are considering psychiatric treatment, our caring staff will help you determine what your options are for insurance or other payment plans. Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

Psychiatric Care & Addiction Recovery Near Fort Washington, PA

When life feels overwhelming, when addiction or mental health struggles begin to take hold — you don’t have to face it alone.

At Wave Treatment Centers in Chestnut Hill, we provide compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care and addiction recovery services for individuals and families throughout Fort Washington and the surrounding area.

Led by Dr. Jonathan Beatty, a board-certified psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist, our team helps patients find balance, regain control, and rebuild their lives with treatment that’s both personal and professional — all in a calm, supportive outpatient setting just a short drive away.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Care for Addiction and Mental Health

Addiction rarely exists in isolation. Many people also struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health conditions that make recovery more difficult.

At Wave Treatment Centers, we take an integrated approach that addresses both — because true healing happens when the mind and body are treated together.

Your personalized treatment plan may include:

Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
Psychotherapy and counseling focused on recovery and emotional health
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) options like Suboxone, Vivitrol, or Sublocade
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for treatment-resistant depression
Outpatient detox and structured recovery support programs
Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring conditions

Every plan is developed and overseen by Dr. Beatty, whose experience and compassion guide our team in providing care that restores stability and supports long-term recovery.

Psychotherapy: Understanding and Healing from the Inside Out

Psychotherapy is at the heart of recovery — helping you understand the root causes of addiction, manage triggers, and learn healthier ways to cope.

For many, this process means finally seeing addiction for what it is: not a failure, but a symptom of deeper emotional pain that deserves care and understanding.

Our therapeutic programs focus on:

Identifying the emotional and behavioral patterns behind substance use
Building coping strategies that support sobriety and mental health
Addressing trauma, stress, and life transitions
Developing tools for resilience and relapse prevention

Medication Management and Supportive Care

Medication can be a powerful part of recovery when used correctly. At Wave Treatment Centers, we provide careful, personalized medication management to treat both substance use disorders and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.

We monitor your progress closely, making adjustments as needed to ensure that your treatment is safe, effective, and tailored to your needs. Our goal is not just symptom control — it’s helping you reclaim your quality of life.

Dual Diagnosis: Treating the Whole Person

Medication can be a powerful part of recovery when used correctly. At Wave Treatment Centers, we provide careful, personalized medication management to treat both substance use disorders and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.

We monitor your progress closely, making adjustments as needed to ensure that your treatment is safe, effective, and tailored to your needs. Our goal is not just symptom control — it’s helping you reclaim your quality of life.

Hope, Healing, and Expert Care Close to Fort Washington Home

Recovery starts with one decision — reaching out for help.

At Wave Treatment Centers in Chestnut Hill, we understand that asking for help isn’t easy, but it’s the first step toward lasting change. We’re here to walk beside you with expert psychiatric care, addiction recovery services, and genuine compassion every step of the way.

If you’re ready to take that next step, we’re ready to help you take it. Contact us today to learn more about our psychiatric and addiction recovery programs. Healing is closer than you think.

Start your Healing Journey

A healthier, happier life starts here — talk to our caring staff today.

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Addiction Psychiatry FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the connection between mental health and addiction?
As with many chronic health conditions, there isn’t just one way that someone can end up with a co-occurring disorder. Some people have a mental health issue before their addiction, while others develop symptoms after they are addicted. Many different studies have been done on this topic, which has lead to three main reasons why mental health and addiction are linked:
- Both mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders have similar risk factors. This can include genetics, high stress jobs, unstable personal lives, and a history of emotional or physical trauma.
- Mental disorders can make it more likely for you to use drugs, and develop a substance use disorder. Sometimes people with a mental health issue try to use drugs to treat their symptoms and make themselves feel better. Other mental disorders can cause changes in your brain that make it more likely for you to become addicted to drugs.
- Substance abuse and addiction can make it more likely for you to develop a mental health issue. This is because substance abuse and addiction can change the way that your brain works, which can lead to certain mental health issues.
Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.
What are the signs of a mental health disorder?
There are many different mental health disorders that affect people, and the signs and symptoms will depend on each person’s individual experiences and diagnosis. There are, however, some general signs that can point to a mental health disorder, including:
- Feeling worried or fearful for no reason
- Excessive sadness
- Confusion
- Problems concentrating or learning
- Extreme mood swings
- Inappropriate anger or irritability
- Avoiding friends or social gatherings
- Problems sleeping
- Chronic exhaustion
- Eating too much or too little
- Having distorted perceptions of reality
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- A general feeling of poor health without obvious cause
- Problems carrying out normal activities, such as going to work or bathing
Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.
What is outpatient psychiatric treatment?
Outpatient mental health treatment is a type of treatment that allows people to still live in their own homes during treatment. Your treatment will take place in a doctor’s office, hospital, or other clinical setting, but you are not required to stay overnight.

Depending on what type of mental health issues you are having, what substance you have been abusing, and how severe your symptoms are, your provider will create the most appropriate treatment plan for you. The most common options include:
- Addiction Treatment
- Anxiety Disorder Treatment
- Behavioral Therapy
- Bipolar Disorder Treatment
- Depression Treatment
- Family Therapy
- Group Counseling
- Individual Counseling
- Medication
- Psychotherapy
- Stress Management Skills
The amount of time that you will be required to spend at your outpatient mental health treatment program will depend on you and your needs. Most people begin with weekly visits for 30 to 60 minutes. As you successfully complete your treatment program, the amount of time you have to spend at the facility will decrease.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.
What are the benefits of outpatient psychiatric treatment?
Outpatient mental health treatment isn’t for everyone. If, however, you have a strong support system at home and are able to hold yourself accountable for attending treatment, an outpatient program may work for you. Some of the main benefits of an outpatient mental health treatment program are:
- They allow people to maintain contact with their support network
- They provide people with an opportunity to learn coping skills for both their addiction and mental health symptoms, and how to integrate them into their daily lives
- They can help people transition from an inpatient treatment program back into their normal lives with more success
Our licensed clinical staff will determine if you are appropriate for the outpatient level of care. You should discuss all of your symptoms and situation with one of our medical or behavioral healthcare specialists in order for us to make the best determination for your care plan. Our clinicians are experienced in evaluating and treating mental health conditions and can determine the most appropriate and most effective course of action for you.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.
Does insurance cover psychiatric care?

While every insurance plan is different, your insurance company may offer coverage for psychiatric care.

If you are considering psychiatric treatment, our caring staff will help you determine what your options are for insurance or other payment plans.

Contact Wave Treatment Centers for additional information.

I contribute my 4 years of recovery largely to Dr. Beatty. I didn’t think recovery was even possible for someone like me. With the guidance and support of Dr. Beatty, I have been able to pull my life together completely. My plan for treatment was unlike any I had before, and that was exactly what I needed in order to succeed. Thank you very for everything Dr. Beatty, I could not have done this without you.

Zack J.

Psychiatric Care & Addiction Recovery Near Fort Washington

Mental Health and Addiction Treatment at Wave Treatment Centers in Chestnut Hill